Ubud Palace, or Puri Saren Agung, is a royal palace that has long had importance as a historic and cultural landmark. It was built in the early 1800s and is one of the oldest, most well-preserved palaces in the area. It was originally built to house Ubud’s royal family, but as time went on it became a cultural and artistic center. Ubud still retains its status as the center of art and culture in Bali, and the palace in particular upholds this reputation. It is home to the opening ceremony of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, an annual event that brings together literary people from all over the globe. The palace also hosts nightly performances of traditional Balinese dances, one of the island’s most beloved and important art forms. Ubud Palace is one of the top things to see in this part of Bali, so if you’re planning a visit, be sure to read through this guide to Ubud Palace for all the information you’ll need!
Things to do / Highlights
Ubud Palace has been a popular tourist site for centuries. After it was built in the early 1800s, word spread of its enchanting beauty, attracting celebrities and people of interest from near and far, like the iconic Charlie Chaplin and popular English author H. G. Wells. It was known for being an artistic center, where Bali’s greatest teachers taught art, dancing, and more. Though Bali suffered during World War II and the conflict with the Netherlands for its independence, the island and the Palace experienced a resurgence in tourism during the 1970s. Today, this palace is one of the most popular tourist sites in Ubud and it’s easy to see why. This stunning palace sits in a verdant garden setting. It’s also unique in that it’s one of the most well-preserved historic palaces in the area, in contrast to many other compounds that were only built in the last half-century. Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to wander through this stunning site and even watch some traditional Balinese dancing, too.
Take in the art and architecture
Ubud Palace is a great spot to see authentic and well-preserved Balinese architecture and art styles. Unlike many other compounds nearby, Ubud Palace is more than 200 years old and is a great representation of traditional palace architecture. It is surrounded by bale structures, which are traditional Balinese buildings with thatched, pointed roofs. Standing in front of the main structure of the palace, which towers above the ground, it’s hard not to feel completely in awe of its impressive form.
Wander the grounds and gardens
Ubud Palace may be what draws your eye, but be sure to take time to wander the parts of the palace grounds that are accessible to guests. Leading up to the palace is a large pool full of lily pads with a walkway down the center. The palace is also surrounded by lush gardens full of tropical plants and greenery. Peeking out of the gardens, you’ll also see stonework and statues which are representative of Balinese artistic styles.
Watch a Balinese dance
Balinese dance performances are held nightly at Ubud Palace. Balinese dancing is a centuries-old tradition and is important to the culture, religion, and social life of the island. There are several different kinds of Balinese dancing, and each night, a different kind is performed. The dancing is done to the sounds of a gamelan band that plays traditional music on percussion instruments. The whole performance takes place in front of an elaborate backdrop of traditional gate and guardian statues. Tickets are sold in the afternoons, so be sure to pick some up so you don’t miss the show!
Travelers tips
Get tickets to dance performances
The nightly dance performances are ticketed. Tickets are sold at the palace throughout the afternoon. While admission to the palace is free, seeing the dances requires purchasing a ticket.
Restrictions on attire
If you’ve been researching ahead of your visit to Bali, you might be aware that many temples require visitors to dress modestly, with shoulders covered, shorts or skirts to the knee, and some even give out sarongs or scarves at the entrance. Ubud Palace is not a temple, so the dress code isn’t as strict; however, in general, Balinese people in Ubud tend to dress conservatively, so err on the side of caution.
Wheelchair accessibility
Unfortunately, Ubud Palace is not entirely wheelchair accessible. There are some steps that do not have ramp alternatives for those with limited mobility.
How to get there
Private car
If you’re driving to Ubud Palace by car, the address to plug into your GPS is Jalan Raya Ubud No.8, Ubud, Gianyar. If you have a local driver, they should already know the way there.
Taxi
If you’re staying in a hotel nearby, many offer taxi services to this incredible compound.
Ubud Palace information
Ubud Palace
Address: Jl. Raya Ubud No.8, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Cost: Free
Official website: Ubud Palace
Department of tourism: Indonesia Tourism
History
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12 Things To Do In Ubud At Night - Updated 2024Stephanie Anais -
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